Sedelmayr, Jacobo, 1703-1779

Jesuit missionary in the Pimerʹia Alta region of New Spain, 1736 to 1767.

From the description of Letters and reports, 1744-1751. (Arizona Historical Society, Southern Arizona Division). WorldCat record id: 37220208

Jesuit missionary assigned in 1736 to the missions of the Pimeria Alta, Viceroyalty of Mexico. He located at Tubutama, and went on several expeditions to explore lands and peoples to the north.

From the description of Letters and reports from Tubutama, Pimeria Alta, 1744-1751. (University of Arizona). WorldCat record id: 31388143

Jacobo Sedelmayr was born in Freising, Bavaria, on January 12, 1703. A Jesuit missionary, he was sent to New Spain in 1736 and was assigned to the Pimeria Alta region, at the mission at Tubutama. This region, the northernmost frontier of New Spain, now includes Arizona and the Mexican states of Sonora and Sinaloa. It was the northernmost frontier of New Spain. Here he worked to convert the native people to Christianity, to build churches, and to improve living conditions. He also undertook several expeditions to investigate lands and people to the north.

In 1751, eight missions were active in Pimeria Alta. Sedelmayr was Visitador Provincial, located at Tubutama. Also that year, a revolt of the Pimas created a major setback for the Jesuits. Sometime between 1754 and 1762, Sedelmayr was transferred to the mission of Tecoripa, in the province of Sonora. In 1764, he became professor at the College of Matape on the Yaqui River. On June 25, 1767, the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico. Sedelmayr found refuge in Spain and died at Aldea de Avila, Spain on February 12, 1779.

From the guide to the Jacobo Sedelmayr letters and reports, 1744-1751, (University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections)